Addiction
Although some aspects of addiction are physical, much of the problem is psychological. The experts at Psychiatric Wellness Center can help patients with addiction in Bakersfield, California, to understand their illness and work through it together. To make an appointment for addiction treatment, patients should call the office at Psychiatric Wellness Center today.
What is addiction?
Addiction is a disorder that causes a patient to become dependent on a substance or activity. Most addictions involve drugs, such as cocaine or heroin. However, it’s also possible for patients to become addicted to sex, gambling, and other activities that may interfere with their lives.
Without treatment, addiction can pose many problems for patients. Some addictions are dangerous on their own because of the side effects they cause. Other addictions are illegal and/or cause financial problems for the patient. Many patients struggling with addiction will also experience difficulties in relationships with family and friends.
Is addiction really psychological?
Nearly every addiction has a psychological component. While some addictions, such as addictions to heroin, have a significant physical component as well, others are purely psychological. Regardless of whether a physical addiction exists, patients must address the psychological addiction before they can recover successfully.
What causes addiction?
Addiction can have different causes. However, some patients are more prone to developing addictions than others. Researchers believe that both environmental and genetic factors can make a person more likely to develop an addiction. Patients who have risk factors for this disorder should avoid drugs and activities known to cause addictions.
What are the symptoms of addiction?
Some of the symptoms of addiction include:
- Intense cravings for a substance or activity
- Needing more of a substance or activity to get the same effect
- Skipping social functions to engage in a certain behavior or take a drug
- Failed attempts to stop a certain drug or activity
- Withdrawal symptoms
How can the doctors at Psychiatric Wellness Center help with addiction?
The doctors at Psychiatric Wellness Center can help with addiction in many ways. The first step to overcoming an addiction is recognizing that a problem exists. The doctors at this facility can help patients identify and accept their addictions so that they can begin recovering. Psychiatric Wellness Centeralso offer medications and psychotherapy to patients struggling with addiction. Over time, Psychiatric Wellness Centercan help the patient eliminate the drug or behavior from their life, deal with cravings, and restore their health.
Often times, an individual may be trying to self-medicate an underlying psychiatric disorder with substances. The doctors at Psychiatric Wellness Center can help by prescribing non-addictive medications that can treat the underlying disorder. The doctors at Psychiatric Wellness Center can also specifically prescribe medications to individuals with addiction and/or physical dependent to opioids, such as hydrocodone (Norco or Vicodin), oxycodone (Percocet), heroin or fenantyl; alcohol, and benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin) or lorazepam (Ativan). For opioids, (he) has experience in prescribing buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) and intramuscular naltrexone (Vivitrol). In order to start intramuscular naltrexone, an individual needs to be 7 days opioid free, which can difficult for some to achieve. Dr. Fernando can work with you to obtain those days of sobriety. For alcohol, the doctors here have experience in prescribing naltrexone orally or intramuscularly (Vivitrol), acamprosate (Campral) and disulfiram (Antabuse).
At Psychiatric Wellness Center, our experienced psychiatrists and therapists can diagnose and provide you with effective treatment for symptoms of addiction. Contact us today.
